Artificial intelligence systems that break into outside servers are subject to existing laws, former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan said.
Here's what to know
More Perfect Union (@PerfectUnion) posted an Instagram clip of Khan saying AI companies are not exempt from regulations. In the video, she said executives have effectively acknowledged "malfunctioning products" and that AI systems carry out "repeated hacks of the servers of other companies" and even "the servers of other governments."
She said the conduct falls under several areas of U.S. law, including product liability, consumer protection, tort, cybersecurity, and public nuisance.
"The idea that just because we have new technological capabilities means there's some blanket exemption from the laws on the books is totally laughable," Khan said.
More background
Khan's criticism targeted the stance she said AI firms are taking. Their products repeatedly cross legal lines, yet the companies behind them act as though they are "somehow helpless to do anything serious about it," she said.
Commenters focused on whether anyone will actually enforce those laws. "So who follows up on the law? … What group is credentialed to take action?" one asked.
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Others were direct about what they said was an accountability gap. "Nobody is stopping them," someone wrote, while another person argued, "Any fines are seen as the (relatively low) cost of doing business."
A fourth Instagram user mocked Big Tech, saying, "Apparently 'move fast and break things' now includes the law."
Where can I learn more?
The debate over AI accountability also shows up in fights over surveillance, safety, and corporate power.
• In Washington, a Republican blasted federal agencies after a report said anti-AI critics were being tracked as extremists.
• Amazon employees warned of a more militarized surveillance state driven by AI tools.
• Across major tech firms, watchdogs flagged dangerously overlooked flaws in AI safety planning.
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